Re: Home made Vanilla Extract

On Sep 22, 9:19=A0am, Ozark Baby <ozarkb...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
  ...

> I have never used McCormicks myself.

Don't. If you know good vanilla, it will bring you to tears. It
actually has sugar in it!

>                                                             I am about
to=
 run out of my
> Mexican vanilla I have since I moved away from the border. Mexico is
> where Vanilla originally came from and I do like their vanilla. I just
> thought it would be fun to make my own and gift some as gifts.

I have steered clear of Mexican vanilla extract because some of it is/
was adulterated (the Chinese didn't invent ethylene glycol). The beans
are very good, so I can see why making your own would be appealing.
There are good beans from Tahiti and elsewhere, but there are natural
pollinators only in Mexico.

You can get Mexican or Tahitian beans from
http://www.saffron.com/vancut.ht=
ml
and if the hints on their web site don't tell you enough, they will
probably advise you on making extract by email. In many states (not
California) pure alcohol is available in liquor stores. Two brands are
Gold Seal and Everclear. Since home-use extracts contain water, a high-
proof vodka will do nicely.

Everybody should have a friend like you!

Jerry